La casita de Monli Bar Restaurante

What a Gem! This place is definitely something special in this little town. You will be dining in a 2 star Michelin restaurant, so expect those prices, however, it is definitely worth the experience! The food was something to write home about, the chef brought the fish to our table before putting it on the cooker! There was nothing that we tried that we regretted ordering, however, the Civeche was by far our groups favorite dish! If you want to save a little $, skip on the drinks as half our bill was the drink order. You will truly enjoy your experience eating at this joint!

An adorable place with a delicious food. Everything we took: lobster, trout and ceviche was fresh and beautifully prepared. The waiter recommended us both food and wine and we couldn’t be more happier with the choice. I’d definitely go there again and would recommend as a must visit restaurant in the area.

Incredible food and wonderful staff. If wearing shorts, please use bug spray. I got dozens of bites there. More than the whole trip of 12 days.

During our visit to Puerto Viejo we sort out recommendations for authentic local cuisine. Several restaurants were recommended, but it seemed like the universe had something even better in store for us. All of the other recommended restaurants were closed the day we had gone out to dinner. So we asked a local vendor to see if she could recommend anywhere She sure did and the entire experience surpassed our expectations. When we reached La Casita de Monli it was enchanting. We were a large group, and as soon as the appetizers and cocktails started to come out we knew we were in for a very special dinner. Everything was exquisite. In fact, the food was so delicious, and the service was impeccable, along with meeting the owner, who is kind and attentive., we decided to go back. It wasn’t until our second visit that I realized we were dining at a two star Michelin rated restaurant! I was not surprised, but only ecstatic for the owners who put their heart and soul into that restaurant. Can’t recommend it enough. Don’t leave Puerto Viejo without experiencing La Casita de Monli. He will be so glad you dis!

I was extremely impressed with this restaurant. High quality food and excellent service. We shared an almost 4lbs lobster. The largest I’ve ever had. It was fresh and caught an hour or 2 earlier that day! It’s a Michelin starred restaurant and we’re very excited to be able to eat at a Michelin star restaurant. The owner and staff were so great! I highly recommend this gem of the Caribbean.

The best restaurant in Porto Viejo. Food is delicious and service‘s friendly. I hat a whole fish, it tasted so good…

Absolutely amazing food, best dinner we've had in Costa Rica after 16 days!! Very good portions and really fantastic flavours. The staff is really nice too. We followed the recommendation to get the tuna and it was delicious. Very recommended!

We stumbled onto this absolutely amazing restaurant with fresh fish directly from the Caribbean courtesy of their own boats. Off on a quiet side street in a lovely quiet setting, with friendly and highly competent service.

Dishes are unexpected and brilliantly crafted, both to the eye and the taste buds.

We tried the feta salad, the bruschetta, the grilled fish cakes, the tuna tartar and the green curry with fish. Portions are generous and plenty to share. We're talking about going back tomorrow. Really.

Very good food, really a few stars better than most other!

French-Caribbean cuisine. One of the best restaurants in Puerto Viejo. Beautiful garden setting. Owner likes to fish and brings fresh fish everyday. Make sure to ask for the specials and the catch of the day. We had the wahoo and tuna. For starter the fish croquettes. Everything was delicious!

This becomes my favorite restaurant in Puerto Viejo now! Fantastic dishes! I tried the special offered Mahi Mahi (fresh catch) with lemon + acai broth, and the banana flambée with rum and vanilla ice cream. The orchid flowers are fresh from the garden and they added an extra flavor to the food. To be honest, It is my first time to eat flowers. It was so great! Not only the taste but also the artistic decoration. Btw, the flowers taste So good! They have awesome garden with special tropical flowers and plants! Staffs are nice and explain dishes well. Those two cats are just kind and nice as the restaurant. The bathroom is super clean. Everything is super clean. Oh, The WiFi is nice also. Just 2 blocks walk to the ocean. Will come back before my leave of Puerto Viejo.

Amazing service, and very good food! Loved the French influence here, we needed a bit of it after two weeks of pinto and casados since we've been traveling through Costa Rica ;)

It's honestly the best small restaurant in PV, with a rotation of fresh fare on the menu, wonderful hostess (might be the owner?) It's just fantastic to come back & never get the same thing twice, but yet the atmosphere is always top notch.

Great date night guys- follow my advice. Brush up on a little French, its French inspired Caribbean fare, but no fear, English spoken as well!

Honestly the best food we've had in Puerto Viejo, and we've been here over a month. The service is excellent, the seafood is the freshest. The place is very nice, the whole meal felt almost like fine dining. Price are very reasonable for the quality, and portions are big. We'll come back very soon

The best Fish on the Caribbean cost. The triggerfish is amazing - super meat structure and amazing taste! Very friendly staff- highly Recommended!

If you’re coming to Puerto Viejo, do not sleep on Casita de Monli. This is the best meal we had all trip. We came back on our last night just to close the trip with a perfect meal. I hope to come back just to have another meal at Monli

AmaIng food experience, probably one of the best I ve had in costa rica.
French cuisine with a carrebean twist.
Good quality food, good technique, a bit pricey, main course 30 usd, cheapest wine 30 usd too, maybe to have some cheaper options will help the customer and maybe boost the sales, but overall I really recommend this.
Good job.

Excellent food, service and wine. The suggestions are very nice, try the surf & surf where you get a fish you choose with half a lobster. The cuisson of the fish was perfect and the waiter speaks Spanish, english, french and german. After the dinner walk the street to the big road and cross the street for an after dinner beach bar digestion. Much recommended.

Excellent ingredients and outstanding preparation. The weekly specials are made of seasonal meat or fish or veggies, and some dishes have a French influence, reflecting the roots of the owner. Wine selection is also excellent. We had Carpaccio, Tempura-style croquettes, Steak and Lobster (no photo). An amazing evening and one of the best meals in my six weeks of travelling Central America.

I had a very pleasant dinner experience. My friend and I had seen Monli Bar Restaurante but never had the opportunity to step in and enjoy the menu until today.

The staff was awesome and welcoming. We got to hear all of the specials of the day. All fresh fish appetizers and main courses. We decided to have the fishcakes which were made with mahi-mahi and tuna. So well prepared, the fish was fresh and the flavor was great. My friend ordered the grilled mahi-mahi with the mashed potatoes and a great side salad with a beautiful, bright dressing. Which was very delightful. I ordered the grilled swordfish with patacones and the beautiful , bright side salad.

The space had great natural light and lush vegetation in their garden. The atmosphere added to the experience along with the dishes we ordered. The staff was great, the food and drinks were great across the board. I would recommend La Casita de Monli Bar to anyone in the Puerto Viejo area. I look forward to dining with them again soon.